Primed And Ready: The Best Makeup Primers Of The Moment

Wouldn't you know that your most powerful makeup item is actually invisible? Primers, those transparent creams worn under makeup to fill in fine lines and smooth your complexion, are secret weapons for achieving nearly flawless skin. While they've been around for years, the tubes and jars were mostly found in the professional kits of Hollywood makeup artists. These days, primers have entered the mainstream and become a niche industry: there are primers for your eyelids, lashes and even hair. But the face primer remains the gold standard as far as makeup essentials go. Here, a round-up of the best modern options for every skin type.

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By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Primer

By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Primer

This high-tech, mousse primer contains “whipped” hyaluronic acid molecules that help plump the skin like fillers used at the derm’s office. The airy texture allows makeup to glide on while optical resurfacing micro-prisms soften the look of wrinkles.

By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Primer

This high-tech, mousse primer contains “whipped” hyaluronic acid molecules that help plump the skin like fillers used at the derm’s office. The airy texture allows makeup to glide on while optical resurfacing micro-prisms soften the look of wrinkles.

Sunday Riley Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer

From the skincare guru to models, Sunday Riley’s oxygen-laced, paraben-free formula lightly hydrates skin while also providing a bit of coverage so you can wear on its own or as a base under foundation to make it last longer.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance

French makeup artist Laura Mercier’s original primer has a cultish following and her newest formula is a worthy upgrade. Infused with a pearl tint to blur imperfections and cast a soft glow over the face, it makes your skin look good enough that you might skip makeup altogether.

Smashbox Photo Finish More Than Primer Dark Spot Correcting

Many makeup artists swear by Smashbox primers and for good reason. This latest version is packed with vitamin C, caffeine and botanical extracts to fade dark spots and minimize acne scars. Wear it under SPF makeup to boost the protection factor.

Hourglass Primer Set

This travel set features mini sizes of two beloved primers. The Mineral formula soothes redness and tightens pores with a touch of SPF 15 while the No. 28 Primer Serum contains 28 skin-nourishing ingredients to age-proof skin and prep it for makeup. Both are water resistant, making them ideal for resort season getaways.

Benefit POREfessional

A little of this clear gel goes a long way under sheer makeup like tinted moisturizers and powder foundations. Just dab on a pea size amount and spread over your skin for an airbrushed-like effect that makes pores and uneven patches less noticeable.

Too Faced Primed & Poreless Pure Skin Smoothing Face Primer

If you find that your foundation and powder has all but disappeared by mid-day, this primer locks in both for hours. The retinol blend regulates excess oil production, wicking away grease that can dissolve makeup but without drying out your skin.

Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection SPF 50

Designed to be a primer and SPF in one, this unique liquid glides onto skin without any chalky reside, leaving skin plumped and glowing. It delivers enough moisture so you can simply top with powder for a light look or swipe on cream-to-powder foundation for more coverage.